Daugherty will not seek reelection

Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty announced his retirement Thursday.

“It has been a privilege and honor to serve my neighbors as their commissioner,” said Daugherty. “I’ve done my very best to deliver on the promises that I’ve made over time. I’ve fought for honest, cost-effective transportation solutions, for a comprehensive road system, and for a fiscally conservative county government. While no one in public office ever achieves all of their objectives, I’ve always thought that serving my constituents was my primary job, and I’m proud of the things we have been able to achieve together.”

Daugherty, who will have served Travis County’s southwest Precinct 3 for 14 years when he steps down, will retire at the end of his term next year. He was the lone Republican on the court, and during his reelection campaign was recognized nationally for a viral ad that seemed to temporarily soothe a divided country.

In addition to his role on the Commissioners Court, Daugherty is the chairman of the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) and a board member for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO).

Throughout his tenure, Daugherty was particularly focused on traffic and fiscal responsibility, and in his retirement announcement he singled out the completion of State Highway 45 as a particular accomplishment. In 2012, he narrowly beat incumbent Karen Huber, winning back the seat he had previously held with a platform that vowed to get the road built.

“When it comes to traffic, affordability and other issues in this community, too many of the stakeholders are still yelling at each other from across the room instead of coming together to do what is best for the people of Travis County,” Daugherty concluded. “I do not know what the future has in store for me, but as long as I am able, I plan to continue being engaged in this community, working to find positive solutions to the challenges we face.”

There are three people currently vying for Daugherty’s former seat in the upcoming November election: Ann Howard, the former head of the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO); former Texas House Rep. Valinda Bolton; and former attorney Sheri Soltes.

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